smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

Lots of people want to start businesses in their spare time, either like you along with a part-time job, or to fit in with family commitments. Indeed, my own business started out in just that way - a way of earning money while the children were small. It can be really complicated establishing a business while a big chunk of your time is spent elsewhere.

For example, how do you make sure the phone is manned during working hours? Real juggling is needed. I call this sort of business toe-dipping. And like all toe-dippers will you ever take the plunge?

It makes sense to operate this spare-time business from home to save on costs. Home working has other advantages. It involves no travelling, it can be combined with your domestic life, there are no fares or lunches to be bought, you can wear what you like and it protects the house from burglars.

Home working suggests some sort of service business. It could be in the fashion and beauty business, office services, some sort of writing activity, arts and crafts, light assembly work, teaching, telephone selling..... There really is a wide range of possibilities.

Once you have targeted your idea, you need obviously to plan it out to check it is viable and then work out how you can operate it in your spare time. Some equipment such as a computer, an ansaphone and a fax machine are probably essential for most businesses. You also need to set yourself rules to be disciplined about working - leaving your domestic jobs during working hours and not inviting friends in for coffee. But if you get the structure right, part-time businesses can be rewarding and fulfilling.